Fire doors, escape signage and action notices

Fire doors on your escape routes need to be the correct fire-resistance rating (typically FD30), self-closing, and fitted with intact intumescent strips and smoke seals. Escape routes need illuminated or photoluminescent running-man signage to BS 5499-4 / ISO 7010 pointing the way out, and every exit and assembly area needs a fire action notice explaining what to do. What you need and where is set by your fire risk assessment.

A fire door that has been wedged open, painted shut, or fitted without the right seals does not stop smoke and fire spreading — it just looks like a normal door. Missing or obscured escape signage is one of the most common findings in a fire and rescue inspection, and a venue full of customers who don't know the way out is the scenario the whole regime exists to prevent.

Watch out for

• Decorators painting over intumescent strips and smoke seals, or fitting new door furniture that voids the door's fire rating. Brief your fit-out contractor explicitly.
• Wedging fire doors open for service or airflow — this is one of the most common enforcement findings and defeats the point of the door entirely.
• Letting fit-out signage, plants or furniture obscure escape route signs once the venue is dressed.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Fire safety risk assessment: 5-step checklist checked 2026-09-02
• gov.scot — Fire safety risk assessment: forms and guidance checked 2026-09-02

See also

• Get a recorded fire risk assessment
• Extinguishers to BS 5306
• Formal fire door inspection— this becomes an ongoing job once you’re open →